Acetylene generator



Sept. 17, 1940. M. OLSON 2,215,071

ACE'IYLENE GENERATOR Filed Feb. 18, 1939 f i 5.1m r 31.5.2. V I l7 x(6035 F I 0 i 17 I 53 /7 16 k? 47 5/ /a 47 46 O I 2 U I9 I h a lol I] lI; "I I| 23 i .5 i as INVENTOR MALVEN L. OLSON ATTORNEY UNITED STATES Hamen PATENT OFFICE ACETYLENE GENERATOR Malven Leonard Olson,Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Oxweld Acetylene Company, a corporationof West Virginia Application February 18, 1939, Serial No. 257,091

1'7 Claims.

This invention relates to water-recession-type acetylene generators, andparticularly to apparatus for preventing after-generation of acetylenewhen the generator is shut down.

Acetylene generators of this general type usually include an upright gasbell partially sub merged within a quantity of water in a tank; and acalcium carbide holder mounted within the gas bell in position to exposecarbide therein to the action of the water beneath the bell inaccordance with the rate at which the generated gas is consumed. Whenthe generator is shut down, the carbide within the holder isusuallyexposed to the water vapor above the body. of water as well as tocontact with the water in t e eventthat splashing occurs when thegenerator is moved. Accordingly, a useless after-generation of acetyleneoccurs which may cause serious trouble.

An object of this invention is to provide an acetylene generator of thewater-recession'type having simple, rugged and effective means forsealing the carbide holder from the action of the water vapor above thebody of water within the generator, as well as from water which may besplashed due to any movement of the generator; the provision of such agenerator in which a pair of sealing elements are moved toward or awayfrom each other by simply turning the gas bell of the generator aboutits vertical axis relatively to the generator tank; the provision ofsuch a generator in which the sealing means includes apparatus forsupporting the carbide holder within the gas bell and means for movingthe supporting means axially relatively to the gas bell by turning thegas bell about its vertical axis relatively to the tank of thegenerator; and the provision of a gas bell, a residue baiile supportingthe carbide holder, and means on the gas bell adapted to cooperate withmeans on the baffle whereby the gas bell, the baffle, and the carbideholder, as a unit, may be removed from or placed within the tank of thegenerator.

'I'he above and other objects and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following specification and drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, of anacetylene gas generator to which the principles of this invention havebeen applied,showing the parts in position to generate acetylene;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the generator ofFig. l,--showing the parts in sealing relation; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the invention is shown as embodied in arecession-type acetylene gas generator which comprises a water tank T,an .upright gas bell B having a gas generating chamber G and agas-collecting chamber K, and a carbide holder H positioned within andspaced from the side walls of the gas bell B. The tank T is normallyfilled with water to a height indi- 10 cated by the dot-dash line LL;and during operation, the water flows into or out of the generatingchamber G of the bell B depending upon the gas pressure therein.

The calcium carbide holder H is located in the gas-collecting chamber Kand is constructed to supporta plurality of superimposed cakes R ofcalcium carbide in such a manner as to expose the lowermost cake to theaction of the water. During gas generation, disintegration of the lowercake takes place, and the residue falls to the bottom of the water tank.As this action progresses the next succeeding cake gravitates to thebottom of the carbide holder and is consumed in the same manner. 25

The tank T comprises a substantially cylindrical shell ill, to thebottom of which is welded a base plate 52. In the present instance, theupper portion of the tank It is open to the atmosphere. The gas bell Bcomprises a lower bell portion [4, the diameter of which is slightl lessthan the inside diameter of the tank T thereby providing an annularpassage for the flow of water from beneath the bell portion M to theoutside thereof. The bell B includes an up- 35 per substantiallycylindrical portion [6 of much smaller diameter than that of the portionId. The upper portion i6 is adapted to extend above the top of the tankT and is provided with a pair of handles ll and a pair of beads l8rolled into the peripheral surface of said portion !6. The handles I!are employed to turn the bell B about its vertical axis relatively tothe tank T, and the pair of beads [8 are adapted to cooperate with apair of yoke members Y for supporting the. bell B at a fixed elevationwith respect to the tank T, all to bemore fully described later. Thecylindrical portion i6 is adapted to extend below the point where thelower portion [4 is joined there to, for the purpose of supporting acylindrical resilient sleeve 20. The'sleeve 20 is preferably made ofrubber and it is rigidly and tightly connected to the end of member 16by a strap and clamp 22.

The carbide holder H comprises an elongated cylindrical containerprovided with a removable closure 23 at its top, and a perforate orbasket portion 24 at its lower end capable of exposing the lower portionof the carbide to the action of water as the latter rises within the gasbell B. The holder H is also provided with a plurality of equally spacedlongitudinally extending guiding grooves 26 adapted to guide and reducethe friction of the carbide cakes as they move downwardly therein, thuspreventing them from tilting and consequently jamming within the holder.To support the carbide holder H, a plurality of circumferentially spacedmetallic bars 28 depend from the basket portion of the carbide holder,extend substantially below the lowermost portion of the basket, thenfiare outwardly and are connected to a substantially cylindrical residuebafile 30. In addition to supporting carbide holder H, the baffle 39also confines the residue as it falls from the basket 24 and directs thesame into a residue receiver 32 on which bafiie 38 rests. An imperforatesubstantially conical sealing element 34 is supported by rods 28 and isadapted to be moved into cooperating engagement with the sleeve 29 toform a moisture-tight seal between the water and the carbide in theholder 1-1. This sealing function is attained while maintaining the gasbell B at a fixed elevation with respect to the tank T. In the presentembodiment, this has been accomplished by providing cooperating means onthe residue receiver 32 and the residue bafile 39 as well as on thebaflle 39 and the bell B, all of which cooperate to elevate the sealingelement 34 and carbide holder 1-1 when the gas bell B is turned aboutits vertical axis relatively to the tank T. For this purpose, theresidue receiver 32 is provided with'a series of cam surfaces 36peripherally disposed about its upper edge, and the substantiallycylindrical residue baflle 39 is provided with an equal number of fins38 extending outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface thereof. Thelower edges of the fins 38 are adapted to bear against and slide on thecammed edge of receiver 32 thereby raising and lowering the combinedcarbide holder H and residue bafile 39 and the sealing element 3 1, whenrelative turning of the bafile and receiver is efiected.

In order to provide for relative turning movement betweenthe baffie 39and the receiver 32, the latter is held in a fixed position by weldingit to the base plate l2 of the tank T, while the former is turned aboutits vertical axis when the bell B is turned about its vertical axis. Thebaflie 39 is slidably connected to and rotated by bell B through fins38, each of which is adapted to move vertically between a pair ofadditional fins 40 mounted on the inner cylindrical surface of the lowerportion l4 of the gas bell B (see Fig. 3). In the present embodiment ofthe invention, there are four diametrically opposed fins 38 connected tothe outer cylindrical surface ofthe baffle 30, and four diametricallydisposed pairs of spaced fins 49 connected to the inner cylindricalsurface of the lower portion M of bell B. There are also fourdiametrically disposed cam surfaces 36 located on the upper edge of thereceiver 32, each of which is adapted to cooperate with the lower edgeof one of the fins 38. The cam surfaces 36 comprise a fiat portion 31, agradually-inclined portion 39 and a second fiat portion M. Turning thegas bell B about its vertical axis relatively to the tank T will causethe baffle 39 to turn about its vertical axis, thus resulting in'theraising and lowering of the baffle 30, sealing cone 34, and carbideholder H. In this manner, the free end of sleeve 29 engages ordisengages sealing cone 34 as the latter is raised or lowered.

The residuebafile 39 is additionally provided with diametrically opposedlugs 42 fixed to the outer periphery of said baffle. A pair ofdiametrically opposed cranks 94 are pivotally mounted along the outsideof the lower portion M of the bell B. The lower extremity of the cranks44 are formed into fingers 36 which, upon movement of the cranks id inone direction, pass beneath the lugs 42. Thus it is seen that means isprovided between the bell B and the residue baffle 30 which will insurethe removal from and the insertion within the tank Tof the bell B, thecarbide holder H, and the baffle 30 as a unitary assembly.

The yoke assembly Y comprises a pair of members 4i and t8, the centralportions of which are formed to fit the outer surface of the upperportion it of the bell B in a manner to permit turning it about itsvertical axis. The Yokes 3'1 and 48 are rigidly secured together'toprovide a support for the pair of beads E8 to engage, and their outerends are slightly spaced to form-a slot for the reception of hinged nuts4?, which latter are secured to the top edge of the tank T. Spaced lugst9 and 5t may be fixed to one of the members such as 'i between which afin 53, fixed to the bell B, may move. The location of lugs 49 and 5! onmember i? is such that turning movement of the bell B, thereby movingfin 53 within the limit defined by their location, insures thecooperation between cam surface 39 and fins 38 to cause seating andunseating of sleeve 29 and cone 3%. For convenience, the lug 49 may bemarked Operating and the lug 55 marked Seal.

Assuming that the generator has been in oper-' ation and the carbide hasbeen entirely consumed, the procedure of recharging the generator andits operation is the following:

The wing nuts 3? are loosened and remove from their locking position.The bell B, carbide holder H, and baffle 39 are lifted from the tank T.Turning cranks M releases fingers 49 from en'- gagement with lugs 42 andpermits separation of the bell B from the carbide holder. The cap 23 isremoved from the holder H and a new sup: ply of carbide, preferably inthe form of cakes, is deposited within the holder H. The cap 23 is replaced, the holder H is telescoped into the bell B, and the cranks M areturned to effect engagement of fingers 46 under lugs iz. The tank T iscleaned and filled to a predetermined level with fresh water. Likewise,the hydraulic valve V is refilled with fresh water. The assemblyincluding the bell B, the holder H and the baffle 30 is inserted as aunit into the tank T,-thus displacing the water to the level Iv-14, andthe wing nuts 4? are then looked within the slots-between members 67 and48.

With the bell B in the position shown in Fig. 1, where fin 53 engageslug 49, generation of acetylene commences. When gas is generated withinthe generating chamber G of the bell B, it passes upwardly into thegas-collecting chamber K through a filter F into a back-pressure valveV, thence to an outlet O Upon the generation of sufficient gas, thepressure within the chamber G increases beyond the pressure exerted onthe surface of the water in tank T outside of the bell B, therebycausing the water to recede from the carbide within bell B to a pointsubstantially below the bottom cake of carbide thus interrupting thegeneration of gas. When the pressure within;

member '41 as shown in Fig. 2.

the bell B is lowered due to supplying acetylene to the gas-consumingdevices, the water again rises in the bell and contacts-the exposedcarbide, thereby resuming generation of acetylene gas. Thus, the amountof acetylene gas generated is automatically maintained to meet thedemand.

When it is desired to shut down the generator for extended periods andsafely store the remaining cakes of carbide in the holder H, it isonlynecessary to grasp the handles I1 and turn the "b81113 about itsvertical axis relatively to the tank T until the fin 53 engages the lug5| on yoke This action causes'theresidue baiile' 30, cone 34, and holderH to move upwardly within tank T to'a point -where the top surface ofthe cone 34 engages the resilient lowerv edge of sleeve 20, therebyforming awater-tight seal between the water and the carbide Withinholder H. To resume generation it is only necessary to turn the bell Brelatively to the tank T so that lug 53 abuts against lug "on member.

While the principles of the invention have been .shown and described indetail to fully disclose one embodiment of the invention, it will beevident that numerous changes may be made in the details and certainfeatures may be used without others, without departing from theprinciples of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An acetylene generator comprising, in combination, a tank adapted tocontain water in its lower portion; an upright gas bell having an openlower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank, said bellbeing supported within said tank at a fixed elevation but so that it maybe turned about its-vertical axis relatively to said tank; a calciumcarbide holder adapted to expose carbide to the water within said tank;means for supporting said holder within said bell; a pair of sealingelements supported Within said tank adjacent the lower end of said gasbell for forming a moisture-tight seal between the carbide in saidholder and the water in said tank; and means actuated by said bell whensaid bell is turned about its vertical axis relatively to said tank forcausing said sealing elements to engage and thereby form suchmoisture-ti ht seal.

2. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in which a portion ofthe water within said tank andoutside said bell is open to theatmosphere.

3. An acetylene generator as claimed in claimtank. and the other of saidelements is movedvertically and into engagement with the first sealingelement when said gas bell is turned about its vertical axis relativelyto said tank.

5. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in which one of saidsealing elements is connected to said gas bell and is. adapted tosurround the lower end of said carbide holder, and the other ofsaidelements is moved axially toward or away from the element connectedto said gas bell when said gas bell is turned about its vertical axisrelatively to said tank. 7

6. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in which one of saidsealing elements is connected to said gas bell and is adapted tosurround the lower end of said carbide holder, and the other of saidelements is connected to said carbide holder, the latter of saidelements being adapted to move vertically and axially relatively to saidgas bell when said gas bell is turned about its vertical axis relativelyto said tank.

'7. An acetylene generator comprising, in combination, a tank adapted tocontain water in its lower portion; a gas bell having an open lower enddisposed below the normal water level in said tank, said bell beingsupported in an upright position within said tank at a fixed elevationbut so that it may be turned about its vertical axis relatively to saidtank; a calcium carbide holder within said gas bell adapted to exposecarbide to the water within said tank; a multi-part residue battle andreceiver located in said tank and adapted to support said carbideholder; a pair of sealing elements respectively connected to said belland said carbide holder; and cooperating means connected to said gasbell and multi-part baffle and receiver for moving said sealing elementstoward and away from each other when said gas bell is turned about itsvertical axis relatively to said tank.

8. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim "7, in which saidmulti-part residue baflle and receiver comprises a base member and asubstantially cylindrical baflle member, said lastmentioned membershaving cooperating cam surfaces for raising and lowering said baiilemember when said bell is turned about its vertical axis relatively tosaid tank.

9. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim '7, in which saidcooperating means comprises cooperating cam surfaces on the residuebaffle and receiver, and an axially slidable connection between saidbell and residue baffle.

10. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 7, in which saidcooperating means includes cooperating cam surfaces on the components ofsaid multi-part residue bafile and receiver, a portion of said camsurfaces being adapted to cause the closing of said sealing elementswhen said bell is turned about its vertical axis relatively to saidtank, and a portion of which is adapted to maintain said elements inclosed position upon continued turning of said bell in the samedirection.

11. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 7, in which said carbideholder is movable vertically, and in which one of said sealing elementscomprises a resilient sleeve attached to said gas bell and adapted toencircle the lower end of 7 said carbide holder, and the other of saidelements comprises a conical member fixed to said carbide holderdirectly beneath said resilient sleeve. I

12. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim '7, in which saidmulti-part residue baffle and receiver includes a base element fixed tothe bottom of said tank and provided with cam surfaces on its upperedge, and a substantially cylindrical member having spaced fins, thelower edges of which rest on the cam surfaces of said base element; saidfins also being adapted to cooperate with pairs ofspaced fins attachedto said gas bell; said cylindrical member also being provided with meansadapted to cooperate with crank elements on said bell for removing andreplacing said bell, holder, and cylindrical member within said tank asa unitary assembly.

13. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in which the carbideholder supporting means comprises a residue baii'le adapted to be movedrelatively to said bell, and in which said generator includes meansmounted on said bell for detachably engaging said baffle, butconstructed to provide for limited relative movement therebetween,whereby said bell and said baflle may be inserted within or withdrawnfrom said tank as a unitary assembly.

14. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in which the carbideholder supporting means comprises a residue baflie adapted to be movedrelatively to said bell, and in which said generator includes meansmounted on said bell for detachably engaging said bafiie, butconstructed to provide for limited relative movement therebetween,whereby said bell and said baiiie may be inserted within or withdrawnfrom said tank as a unitary assembly, said last named means comprisingmanually operable cranks adapted to be rotated into and out ofengagement With means on said baflie.

15. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 7, and including meanscombining said holder and bafiie, and means mounted on said bell fordetachably engaging said combined holder and baflle but constructed toprovide for limited relative movement between said bell and saidcombinedi holder and baffie, whereby said bell and. said combinedholderand baffle may be inserted within or withdrawn from said-tank as aunitary assembly.

16. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 7, and including meansassociated with said baffle and said bell, adapted to limit movement ofsaid baflie relatively to said bell and to detachably engagesaid bellwith said baffle in order to permit unitary insertion and removal ofsaid baffle, said holder, and said bell into and from said tank.

17. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in Which the carbideholder supporting means comprises aresidue baflie disposed beneath saidholder and adapted to be moved relatively to said bell, and in whichsaid generator includes cooperating means associated with said ,bafileand said bell, adapted to limit movement of said bafile relatively tosaid bell and to detachably engage said bell with said bafiie in orderto permit unitary insertion and removal of said baffle, said holder, andsaid bell into and from said tank, wherein said cooperating meanstomprises lugs on the exterior of said baffle and manually operablemeans on said bell adapted to detachably engage said lugs.

MALVEN LEoNARDfoLsoNL,

